Referee from the Stamford Bridge Controversy: VAR Didn’t Improve Football, Mourinho Criticized Me for His Gain

In the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final in the 2008-09 season, between Chelsea and Barcelona, referee Tom Henning Øvrebø made several contentious calls, leading to death threats from fans and the incident being labeled as the “Stamford Bridge Disaster.” Øvrebø became a symbol of controversial refereeing. Fifteen years later, how is he doing? The referee recently granted an exclusive interview to Relevo, discussing his current life and topics like VAR.

Øvrebø shared, “Being a referee was part of my life, but I’ve been retired for many years now. Today, I’m engaged in sports psychology research in Norway. I’m a psychologist with a wonderful family and great kids; I have no complaints. Do I still referee? Not much, occasionally with local clubs, but not extensively. I contribute to sports in a different way, providing psychological support to athletes participating in major events like the Olympics.”

The former referee is ambivalent about VAR’s impact on football: “My view on new technology is nuanced. If used correctly, VAR can be helpful, but we’re increasingly seeing technology taking precedence. It’ll take more time to draw conclusions. Many clubs don’t want VAR because it slows the game down and removes some of the suspense and excitement. Am I for or against it? Uncertain, it has its pros and cons. We must give it time to evolve and see if it heads in the right direction. You have to look at both the good and bad aspects.”

Over the years, Øvrebø has faced numerous death threats from fans. He commented, “I don’t think fans understand referees. If they did, they wouldn’t behave the way they do. But that’s part of being a referee. We officiate not for fame but to contribute to football. We don’t care about popularity. I believe fans don’t grasp this. I’ve spoken with many who said, ‘We were harsh on you before, but we realized your job comes with significant challenges and pressures.'”

Reflecting on José Mourinho, Øvrebø said, “Do I hold a grudge against him? No, everyone knows he was just trying to gain some advantage and benefits from the match decisions.”

What advice would Øvrebø give to young referees? “If you choose to referee, you must try to communicate. My suggestion is, within limits and without bullying or intimidation, referees should attempt to understand, listen, and explain decisions to the match participants. But if the coach is intimidating you, avoid the conversation!”

“For a referee, a successful call lasts only a few seconds, while a mistake can haunt you for a long time, maybe a month or even 15 years,” Øvrebø observed. “Isn’t that what makes the profession of refereeing so captivating?”